Mental Flosshttp://mentalfloss.com/node/14272/atom.xml2015-03-31T20:50:56+00:00http://mentalfloss.com/article/14272/why-not-gas-new-jersey2006-04-27T09:18:13+00:002006-04-27T09:31:29+00:00Why not gas up in New Jersey?Will

We ran an article in our last issueÂ about how gas prices work and in doing some digging on prices around the country, we noticed that if New Yorkers look across the border into New Jersey, they'll see gas prices are about 30 cents cheaper there. So by driving a few extra miles, you couldÂ save a significant amount of money over the course of a year, right? Not exactly. Did you know there are still two states in the union - Oregon and New Jersey - where self service pumps are still forbidden? So even though the gas itself is a little cheaper over in the Garden State, you end up paying extra for full-service, whichÂ erases most of the savings.

A few factsÂ to prep forÂ Jeopardy's gasoline category:

Self-service stations first popped up in California in 1947

It wasn't until the 1970s that self service started to become common around the country

One of the main reasons Oregon and New Jersey prohibited self service was the fear that customers wouldn't handle the pumps properly and would put themselves and others in a dangerous situation. Is this really still a concern?

Both states have stations that allow self service for diesel, because the lawmakers believed truck drivers would know how to handle their gas properly.

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Speaking of gasoline, I can't believe this story about two girls that "fuel the fire" wasn't up for an Oscar.